When it rains it pours
Meaning
When one misfortune occurs, it is often quickly followed by many more.
Origin
The phrase "When it rains it pours" taps into a universal human observation: just as a light drizzle can quickly escalate into a downpour, so too can single misfortunes spiral into a cascade of troubles. While its precise linguistic birth is murky, the proverb gained widespread currency by the early 20th century, reflecting a common fatalistic view of life's challenges. It eloquently captures the sudden, overwhelming nature of multiple problems striking at once, transforming a simple weather observation into a profound metaphor for periods of intense adversity.
Examples
- First, my car broke down, then I got a huge utility bill, and to top it all off, I spilled coffee on my laptop—it really feels like when it rains it pours.
- After losing her job, Maria also had a pipe burst in her kitchen, making her wonder if life was just determined to prove that when it rains it pours.